Sinus infection and CPAP

[DebboL]

Hi everyone,

So how do you survive a sinus infection and use your CPAP? I have one that snuck up on me over the weekend. When I tried to reach my sleep therapist I got the only on-call guy that wasn't a respiratory therapist this weekend. I'm not sure whether to turn the humidity up, leave it low or what to do with it. I know that my machine woke me up this morning as the airflow went from 8 to 13.5 because I was so congested. I'm considering sleeping in the chair tonight so I can breathe. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Deb

[Pugsy]

I have found that added moisture seems to help when I have congestion issues or feel like a cold is coming on.
If you find that a hot steamy shower helps then the added moisture might help.

[lorraineg57]

Maybe try a nasal spray 1/2 hour or so before bed?

[LSAT]

If you are stuffed up and are breathing through your mouth you may need a full face mask for these situations.

[DebboL]

LSAT,

I have thought about that however I have Sjogrens which causes chronic dry mouth so not sure how well I would do with a mask like that however I will check when I call in tomorrow. Thanks for the input on masks.

Deb

[BlackSpinner]

LSAT,

I have thought about that however I have Sjogrens which causes chronic dry mouth so not sure how well I would do with a mask like that however I will check when I call in tomorrow. Thanks for the input on masks.

Deb

Well you are breathing by mouth now anyway because you are congested so what is the difference, except that you won't have apneas?

[jencat824]

When I have a sinus infection I use the Pur Sleep aromatherapy designed to sooth inflamed sinus tissues. Can't hurt to try.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/cpap-a ... aster.html

Hope you get some relief.
Jen

[mnfe]

I just got fitted for a FFM (hybrid, actually) because I couldn't breathe at night due to nasal congestion. Luckily I was up for a new mask anyway. Most times my nasal pillows work, but for those 1-2 weeks a year I really need to mouth breathe.

[TalonNYC]

I typically use a FFM because when I started therapy I was getting regular sinus infections, so I just got used to the FFM. To clarify, I was plagued with the infections for years, and still got them when I started therapy, they weren't caused by the therapy LOL. I found that when I had an infection, I got more dry mouth, but the infection itself wasn't impacted one way other other by the therapy itself.

Many folks here keep a FFM on-hand for such stuffy nights where mouth breathing is necessary for a few days. The dry mouth is annoying, but temporary. You can use things like biotene gel to keep your mouth moist for most of the night. You'll still wake up with dry mouth, but it will take several hours before you get that, so you can probably sleep the night through =)

Then, when the infection is gone in a few days, you can switch back to the normal nasal mask.

Hang in there! One good thing for me is that since starting therapy I have gone from 2-3 bouts of sinus/lung infections per year to one in the last two years. So in addition to sleeping well again, I'm having far fewer respiratory issues.

[Todzo]

Hi everyone,

So how do you survive a sinus infection and use your CPAP? I have one that snuck up on me over the weekend. When I tried to reach my sleep therapist I got the only on-call guy that wasn't a respiratory therapist this weekend. I'm not sure whether to turn the humidity up, leave it low or what to do with it. I know that my machine woke me up this morning as the airflow went from 8 to 13.5 because I was so congested. I'm considering sleeping in the chair tonight so I can breathe. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Deb

Hi Deb!

I think your airflow going from 8 (unless you are very tall that is kind of high to begin with) to 13.5 provides a clue.

One of the things that first clues me into the fact I am breathing too much is a stuffy nose. When my nose begins to stuff up, I use pulse oximeter guided breathing (using Buteyko breathing methods for control) to bring the CO2 levels back up to where circulation and metabolism are better facilitated. It works every time!!!

Probably the better circulation keeps infection out of the sinuses – no infection – colds kinda hurt up there but do not stuff me up and colds do not happen often.

I suppose part of it is that less air going through the airway makes it easier for the airway. However it does it, it works very well and very consistently. It has been nice to smell the flowers all summer long, very nice. Not a single run to the pharmacy for allergy medications as before.

FWIW

Todzo

[jen4700]

RINSE. RINSE. RINSE. Rinse your sinuses several times a day with saline. You can buy the "ocean" nasal spray at the drug store or make your own using a neti pot. After using the neti pot for years, I think the spray action of the water bottles does a better job, but that's just my opinion.

I averted a sinus infection last week by rinsing my sinuses several times a day. And I do it three or four times each time I do it. Make sense? So, if I do it in the morning, I spray each nostril then blow then repeat that three or four times. I had a doctor tell me once that sinus infections will go away without antibiotics if you rinse your sinuses. Of course, you have to do it regularly to avoid the infections in the first place.

RINSE. RINSE. RINSE. I know this won't help in your current situation but it's good to know for next time.

[DebboL]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! My ENT told me to start rinsing immediately and it has helped unfortunately I did have to go on the antibiotics because I am due to have surgery on my soft palate and tonsils Thursday. I do feel much better though and will keep all of these suggestions in mind. My DME told me to turn up the humidity on my machine as well to keep things moist and moving.

Deb

[hopingitworks]

I started cpap therapy a little over two months ago. Within a few days I was plugged up and blowing my nose all day. This went on for three weeks which was when I found this forum and posted questions about the congestion. I was running the humidifier at about 60% of it's capacity (set by the RT) at the time.

I was beginning to think that I had mold in my lines or developed fall allergies (for the first time). More knowledgeable people on the forum suggested I play with the heated humidifier settings (up or down) which I did. It may sound oxymoronic with the other advice presented here but when I increased the humidity, my congestion increased as well. I went to the doctor and was prescribed nasal sprays (antihistamine, steroids and sprays to keep the nasal mucosa moist). I then started lowering the humidity settings every three days as I felt I had nothing to lose. The congestion seemed to lessen gradually. I eventually ended up with the humidity setting at about 15% of it's capapacity, and the congestion was much better, but still present.

One night the water in the humidifier tub ran empty and I wasn't aware of it (which one is not supposed to do as it is heated). The next few days I didn't use the humidifier at all and I felt even less congested. A very knowledgeable member on the forum suggested keeping water in the tub, but not running the heated humidifier. This, I was informed, is referred to as "passover mode". The air entering the lungs is slightly humidified in this manner. So I began trying the passover mode.

At the same time I was trying the passover mode I also received a heated tube which seemed to help as well. I can't say that decreasing the amount of humidity cured the congestion but I would assume it helped in my case.

I just thought I would offer a different perspective.

Best of luck in your therapy and more importantly, for now, the surgery!